Saturday, September 7 , 2013
By: Rodney Rescott

The season finale at the famed ½ mile dirt oval known as the Valley of Speed is usually full of tension and excitement. This year’s addition threw in yet another wrinkle; weather. But the DiCarlo Auto Body Small Block Modified and Budget Sportsman Finales were not to be denied.

Under constant threatening skies, the track officials and management team got the racing underway with just a minor delay. Mother Nature’s ‘dust control’ was on and off all night, but the racing would not stop!

At the beginning of the 30 lap Small Block Modified Finale, Kenny Aanonsen Jr took to the early lead with his #43JR, but by the time the 104.9 The Cat Lap Counter turned to lap 3, the #23 of Alex Bell charged out to a healthy lead.

But Bell’s lead ended shortly thereafter, as mechanical trouble ended his night pitside, while the #1 of Jason Herrington assumed the point. Caution slowed the field briefly on lap 16, but under green, Herrington had full control of his #1.

At the checkers, Herrington scored the win in the 30 lap season ender. Steve Meilleur charged through the field to finish 2nd. Ryan Darcy, Brian Sandstedt and Chad Jeseo battled it out to round out the top 5 respectively.

The season finale in the Budget sportsman took the high banks a little earlier, and here is how it went down. Ricky Davis was out to the early lead, but Chris Lynch powered his #74 out front by lap 2.

Lynch held the head of the class through several caution flag periods and subsequent restarts. But each caution kept the field right on the #74’s heals, and by lap 8, Tyler Dippel charged his way into the top spot, relegating Lynch to 2nd.

Caution flew again on lap 17 for a spinning car in 3. During that caution, bizarre contact by a lap car parked Lynch in the turn 4 wall, ending his chance at a solid top 3 finish. Once the ‘excitement’ settled down, the race was back to green, and Dippel showed no signs of flinching, pulling away and taking the win.

Peter Carlotto battled his way up to finish 2nd, 3rd was Ray Hall Jr, followed by Robbie Speed and Michael Sabia rounding out the top 5 finishers. Alan Houghtaling, Whitey Slavin, Todd Lane, Tommy Johnson, and Brian Peterson completed the top 10 finishers.

At the end of the night was the 10th Annual Robert J ‘Boomer’ Bedell Boomer’s Performance Purestock Clash with over $2,300 to be handed out. Out to the early lead was the #57 of Gary O’Brien. Then Al Relyea, charged his way to 2nd, and began dogging the #57 for the lead.

After a door to door battle, in the closing laps the #21 of JJ Hatch charged past both Relyea and O’Brien and stole the win to take the Boomer’s Performance Purestock Clash Finale. Hatch scored a check for $750, Relyea finished 2nd with a check for $275. Gary O’Brien crossed the line 3rd earning a check for $695, John Devine finished 4th, for $125, and Dave Stickles finished 5th and got a check for $100.

In the regular Purestock events, Jim Groncki won in PS #1, Mike Eichstedt took PS #2, and Jeff Meltz Sr scored the win in PS #3. In the 4 Cylinders 12 Lap feature, Jim Williams won in the Single Cam, and Steven Loomis won the Dual Cam.

A season round up and point championship will be posted shortly. Congrats to all winners and Point Champions for another successful Lebanon Valley Speedway season!

For more information, the 2013 schedule, and links to what's on tap for 2013, visit our website at www.LebanonValley.com, and click on “LVS”, or call the Speedway Offices during regular business hours at (518) 794-9606 or (518) 794-9965.

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